Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Weight Gain| King-Robinson

BIOLOGY-1090-Sp16-Worthington
Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Weight Gain
Amanda King-Robinson
26 March 2016

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Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Weight Gain| King-Robinson

Abstract
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a syndrome that affects 1 in 5 women. There are many different
symptoms and problems that come with PCOS. Including male pattern hair loss, high testosterone levels that
cause facial hair growth, acne, and weight gain. This paper will focus on weight issues with PCOS. It will
discuss what PCOS is, what body system is affected by PCOS, what the knowledge of biology can do to help,
why women gain weight from PCOS, and what dietary changes can be made to combat weight gain with PCOS.
It will discuss the reason I chose to focus on weight gain, and what I learned from my research.
Keywords: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS, Body Weight, Endocrine System, Obesity, Diet,
Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Exercise, Hormones, Thyroid, Infertility, Pituitary Gland, Thyroid Gland, Adrenal
Gland.
The Biology of Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
When people hear the term Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome
(PCOS) they immediately assume that it is a problem with the
reproductive system. The truth is that PCOS is really a disorder of the
endocrine system and it affects many organs in the female body. The
endocrine system in women consists of the hypothalamus, pineal gland,
pituitary gland, thyroid, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, and ovaries
(Cysters of the Heart, 2010).
PCOS begins with a stress reaction which is sustained at an
abnormally high level for a long period of time. This stress reaction is
sustained for longer than normal due to abnormal signals from the
hypothalamus. This reaction causes a cascade of events. The
hypothalamus gives a signal and the body releases a stress hormone
called cortisol. Cortisol elevates blood sugar levels which in turn
stimulates the pancreas. The pancreas then releases insulin in order to
manage the sugar levels in the blood. The amount of insulin required to
control the sugar is fairly high, and therefore, this can cause a condition
called hyperinsulinemia (insulin resistance). Too much cortisol will also cause salt and
water retention. This cycle can lead to many side effect, one of which is weight gain
(Steplite Clinic, 2016).

Cysters of the Heart, 2010

Steplite Clinic, 2016

As a person that deals with PCOS on a daily basis, I feel it is important to understand
the biology of PCOS in order to combat it. When we are educated about our bodies and how
they function we are able to understand them when they dont work the way they are supposed to. If we
understand the systems that are affected by PCOS we can work better with doctors. This will help us to take
control of our own health instead of blindly following treatment and hoping for the best.

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Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Weight Gain| King-Robinson

Weight Gain and Management with PCOS
Insulin resistance is the main culprit of weight gain in
people with PCOS. In fact, some researchers feel that insulin
resistance may play a major role in the development of PCOS itself.
I was diagnosed with insulin resistance and PCOS several years ago
and have battled with my weight ever since. I am not alone in the
weight battle. Studies have shown that about 75 percent of women
with PCOS are overweight or obese (Haiken, 2004). Symptoms of
insulin resistance include sugar cravings, upper abdominal obesity,
having an almost impossible time losing weight, high LDL
cholesterol, abnormal hair growth, and aches and pains throughout
the body (Cysters, 2010).
There are a few different avenues that women with PCOS
can use to assist in weight management. Exercise is, of course, the
first recommendation that women will hear about from their
doctors. Most doctors will recommend at least 30 minutes per day of cardio along with weight
Cysters, 2010
training three days per week. This does help, however, PCOS actually causes the body to burn fat
less efficiently. Because of this, exercise alone will not help with weight loss.
The second step is diet. Experts say eating a low-carbohydrate diet will help women with PCOS shed
pounds and keep their symptoms under control (Haiken, 2004). A study done by James Cook University found
that insulin levels were decreased with a low-carbohydrate diet along with improved HDL cholesterol, lower
triglycerides, and lower weight (Farshchi, 2007), Doctor Amy Goss reported, Diets reduced in carbohydrate
may have a profound impact on body composition and fat distribution by eliciting a lower postprandial glucose
and the subsequent insulin secretory response when compared to diets higher in carbohydrate content (Goss,
2014).
The final option available is medication to control insulin resistance that should be considered as a last
resort if lifestyle changes are not enough. The most common medication that women with PCOS are prescribed
is called Metformin. Metformin is a medication that was originally created for diabetics but has been found to
be useful for patients with PCOS in reducing weight and gaining control of insulin. In the same study, that was
done by James Cook University, they state, Metformin added to a
hypocaloric diet may decrease some features of abdominal
obesityspecifically decreased leptin levels consistent with the
loss of visceral fat (Farshchi, 2007)
I have used all of these options. When I was first diagnosed
with PCOS I weighed around 150 pounds but I did not do anything
about it. Eventually, I reached my max weight of 200 pounds. On
my 5 1 frame it was taking a major toll on my entire body. My
doctor checked my fasting glucose levels and found out I was prediabetic. She immediately put me on Metformin. This medication
helped me begin to lose weight. Unfortunately, after I dropped
under 175 pounds it made my blood sugar levels go dangerously
low so I had to stop taking it. After I stopped taking Metformin I
had to find another solution. That is when I started researching the
effects of carbohydrates on women with PCOS and began a low carbohydrate/low sugar diet. I also began
training for a half marathon. With the assistance of Metformin, a low carbohydrate diet, and regular exercise I
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Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Weight Gain| King-Robinson

was able to drop a total of 75 pounds over about a two-year time span. I have since slipped back into some old
habits and wrote this paper to help me get back on track. Now that I understand the biology of PCOS and the
system that it effects I believe I have an even greater understanding of what is happening inside my body and
that will help me to get back on track and have a healthier lifestyle.

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Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Weight Gain| King-Robinson

Bibliography
Cysters of the Heart. (2010, May 18). Retrieved February 6, 2016, from A Boring (but necessary) Biology
Lesson: https://cystersoftheheart.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/a-boring-but-necessary-biology-lesson/
Cysters of the Heart. (2010, May 19). Retrieved March 10, 2016, from Another Biology Lesson-- with an
Emphasis on Insulin Resistance: https://cystersoftheheart.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/another-biologylesson-with-emphasis-on-insulin-resistance/
Farshchi, H. R. (2007, November 27). Diet and Nutrition in Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrom (PCOS): Pointers for
Nutritional Management. Journal of Obestetrics and Gynaecology, 27(8), 762-773. Retrieved February
6, 2016
Goss, A. P. (2014, May 14). Beneficial effects of a Reduced Carbohydrate Diet in PCOS. Research Corner:
Nutrition Close-Up, 4-6. Retrieved February 6, 2016
Haiken, M. (2004, October). Why Can't I Lose Weight. Health (Time Inc. Health), 18(8), 45-51. Retrieved
February 6, 2016
Steplite Clinics. (n.d.). PCOS Reversal. Retrieved February 2016, 2016, from http://www.pcos-reversal.com/

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